Denominations

If someone has time as we lead up to Christmas, can you please recommend a resource that charts out or clearly explains the beliefs and foundations of various Protestant denominations? I am looking for a new church and I am very unclear about doctrinal differences. I feel like, if I had some chart to look at, I could at least rule out some. I recently worked for a non-profit under the lead of a major Protestant denomination and was amazed at what behavior was grouped under "acceptable"...and what was not. :-(

Because I was raised in one cult for 16 years and married into another for 10, you can understand my care in choosing a good, Christian church to make friends and progress spiritually.

I found one post by Rosie ( http://community.logos.com/forums/p/13916/107103.aspx ) but was hoping for something in Logos if possible.

Kaye

Find more posts tagged with

Comments

Kevin Becker

This thread will probably interest you

http://community.logos.com/forums/t/16624.aspx

It's not specific to Pentecostal denominations. However, I image the resource mentioned would include some of the info you want.

Kaye Anderson

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/203859#Comment_203859

Thanks, Kevin, for the quick answer. Maybe I'll have to get a paper copy or maybe the library will have it.

Graham Owen

Hi Kaye

You'll find some usefule information in many of the Church History books and Encyclopaedias as well as in this series:

http://www.logos.com/product/5774/the-complete-library-of-christian-worship

Plus at the risk of stating the obvious search for denomination* in your entire library.

Most denominations have a web site where you can find their basis of faith and this is a good document to check for orthodoxy.

Of course you need to remember that denominational lines blur at the edges and that many local Churches have an individual identity determined by their own leadership and membership.

Todd Phillips

The Dictionary of Christianity in America has entries describing the history and beliefs for most American denominations (however, the index of that resource is messed up so you can't properly use the index box to find things. The Table of Contents pane or search will have to do it).

Wikipedia is a surprisingly good source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Christian_denominations

Most comparison charts (such as this one: http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/charts/denominations_beliefs.htm) don't have enough detail or cover sufficient number of denominations.

Jack Hairston

The sources that others have cited will give broad overviews of the doctrines they emphasize. May I suggest that the flavor of individual congregations within any denomination may tend toward the vertical dimension (the connection of the worshiper to God), and others may tend toward the horizontal dimension (worshiper to worshiper--family). I prefer a middle ground.

Hmmm. Looks like the Cross, to me.

Rebecca RG

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/203899#Comment_203899

The ARDA (Association of Religion Archives) has a fascinating website. It probably isn't going to give you the information on beliefs that you seek, but its interactive graphics give a good sense of relationships between denominations, here. See other tabs as well. However, the character of an individual congregation, as Jack Hairston says, can say a lot about real, lived beliefs as distinct from denominational or website stated beliefs.

Todd Phillips

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/203983#Comment_203983

The ARDA (Association of Religion Archives) has a fascinating website. It probably isn't going to give you the information on beliefs that you seek, but its interactive graphics give a good sense of relationships between denominations, here. See other tabs as well. However, the character of an individual congregation, as Jack Hairston says, can say a lot about real, lived beliefs as distinct from denominational or website stated beliefs.

Thanks for that link...it's a good one.

Kaye Anderson

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/203985#Comment_203985

Thanks! These are helpful comments and great resources. I knew you all would have good ideas. [I]

Peace,

tom

If someone has time as we lead up to Christmas, can you please recommend a resource that charts out or clearly explains the beliefs and foundations of various Protestant denominations? I am looking for a new church and I am very unclear about doctrinal differences. I feel like, if I had some chart to look at, I could at least rule out some. I recently worked for a non-profit under the lead of a major Protestant denomination and was amazed at what behavior was grouped under "acceptable"...and what was not. :-(

Because I was raised in one cult for 16 years and married into another for 10, you can understand my care in choosing a good, Christian church to make friends and progress spiritually.

I found one post by Rosie ( http://community.logos.com/forums/p/13916/107103.aspx ) but was hoping for something in Logos if possible.

Kaye

Hi Kaye,

God speed in finding a new church home.

I personally would first find the congregations that are near you and read their website. I say this because each denomination has many flavors. For an example, I am a Lutheran, and under the Lutheran umbrella in the United States, there are the following Lutheran bodies: AFLC, ALCC, CLBA, Church of the Lutheran Confession (CLC), Concordia Lutheran Conference (CLC), ELS, ELCA, ILD, LCMC, LCMS, LCR, NALC, TAALC, and WELS.

These are the only ones that I know of; there could very well be more Lutheran bodies in the U.S.. All of these Lutheran bodies confess that the Book of Concord is how we understand scripture. Do you think that we can agree with what that means? Not a chance.

Because the Lutheran body is not unique, I would first limit your research to the congregations that are near you.

Floyd Johnson

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/204022#Comment_204022

Also, remember that there is no perfect denomination - except for the one we will all join in heaven. The doctrine of original sin tells us that, though we are not as bad as we could be, every area of our lives has been touched by the fall - even our theology.

Since you will not find a perfect church, you will want to find the best one and then realize that it too has flaws.

God's speed as you seek a place to worship.

Handbook of Denominations in the United States, originally edited by Frank Mead (as I recall), has always been a fairly good, concise resource.

It's in a 13th edition at this point.

Kaye Anderson

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/204022#Comment_204022

Do you think that we can agree with what that means? Not a chance.

I had to laugh at that. Not meaning to be irreverent but it is so...human. :-)

Floyd, I don't expect the congregation to be perfect. I sure am not! But I do want to weed out obviously wrong doctrine or doctrine that has changed over time to match what man wants to hear.

Al, I think I will pick up that book in print. It seems to be the one I am looking for.

Lynden O. Williams

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/204051#Comment_204051

I have a friend who always says "the church is perfect, it is the people that are the problem"

David P. Moore

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/204048#Comment_204048

Handbook of Denominations in the United States, originally edited by Frank Mead (as I recall), has always been a fairly good, concise resource.

It's in a 13th edition at this point.

This was what I was about to recommend. I have the 12th ed., and it is a good solid non-biased reference book.

Josh

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/204102#Comment_204102

Is Calvary Chapel considered a denomination? I really enjoy their style. Verse by verse, chapter by chapter, book by book expository preaching.

Isn't Greg Laurie from this church?

tom

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/204051#Comment_204051

I had to laugh at that. Not meaning to be irreverent but it is so...human. :-)

Yes, if it wasn't so sad, it would make a comedy. All of these divisions within Christianity reminds me of this Star Trek episode: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vi7QQ5pO7_A. While this episode deals with racism, this same type of hatred is found within Christianity towards other denominations.

Robert Pavich

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/204167#Comment_204167

While this episode deals with racism, this same type of hatred is found within Christianity towards other denominations.

Tom,

I'm not sure I'd use the word "hatred"...but certainly we are divided on our beliefs with other denominations...

For myself, I'd find a church closer rather than farther away for the following reason...a church body is LOCAL...and it's really hard to feel like you're part of a body when you have to drive 1.5 hours to get there...and you never see any members of your congregation except for an hour and a half on Sunday...

Jack Caviness

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/204106#Comment_204106

Isn't Greg Laurie from this church?

Yes he is.

Is Calvary Chapel considered a denomination?

My granddaughter and I have had this discussion in the past. She formerly insisted that it was not a denomination, but now I don't think she cares whether or not it is technically a denomination. She just loves the one she attends.

My son is a leader (non-staff) in the local Calvary Chapel, so my information is basically second-hand from him. They have an organized structure which includes rules on how new Calvary Chapels can begin. An group of Calvary Chapel Pastors oversees the operation of individual congregations. To me, this indicates that Calvary Chapel is a denomination, but Your Mileage May Vary.

I really enjoy their style. Verse by verse, chapter by chapter, book by book expository preaching.

The pastors I have heard (3 or 4) are very good at this.

fgh

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/204171#Comment_204171

I'm not sure I'd use the word "hatred"

Then you haven't seen (or heard) some of the anti-Catholic stuff out there....

Dennis Miller

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/204180#Comment_204180

If you are looking for a church that still uses the bible on a weekly basis in their services then I too would recommend Calvary Chapel. Most adhere to the verse by verse, chapter by chapter format established by it's founder Chuck Smith. My most significant growth as a believer was during my time at Calvary Chapel and though I serve in an AOG church now I have brought much of what I've learned with me and continue to teach all who will listen in the verse by verse style and I find many who are really hungry for the word. As far as it being a denomination, I don't think that really matters much as every new movement eventually ends up as one whether they call themselves that or not. When you are determined to stay true to your call it becomes a necessity to guard against those elements which would corrupt that and thus oversight and guidelines become necessary to maintain integrity. Denomination is not always a bad thing. We have different denominations of bills in our monetary system yet they serve the same purpose to provide what we need. The same can be said for Church denominations, they provide different forms of worship which is OK as long as the truth is taught and not compromised.

Graham Owen

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/204051#Comment_204051

But I do want to weed out obviously wrong doctrine or doctrine that has changed over time to match what man wants to hear.

Hi Kaye

With the responses that you have received you probably have enough to build a check list that you could use for the Churches near you. I would suggest that you start by making a list of those within 30 minutes of where you live and identify what denomination they belong to. You can then check if the local Church has a web site and what that says about the local congregation as well as checking out the denominational web site. You can then create an ordered list of Churches to visit using any preferences you have i.e. Charismatic, Pentecostal, Baptiost, etc.

When visiting the Churches consider key elements like:

How welcome did you feel
Was the worship God focused
Was Jesus central in all things
Was the preaching based on the Bible
How involved were the congregation in the service
Was there "room for God"
Did you enjoy it

Addressing your concerns about being drawn into a cult, to me the key is to look for cultic behaviour. I would not regard myself as an expert but from what I have stidied and experienced a cults result when an individual becomes dominant within a group. Whilst incedibly over simplifed I see two phases in this.

Phase 1 - The leader moves from being the shepherd who guides to being God's only authoritative voice within the group. A well organised Church with denominational accountability will notice this shift as it occurs and take correctional action.

Phase 2 - As the only authoritative voice the leader effecively becomes the groups god and controls evey aspect of the groups life. If a Church reaches this point they will typically move from denominational to independent status.

In my experience independent Churches are more susceptible to this issue but even Churches from major denominations can, from time to time, develop cultic behaviours. Note that there are many great independent Churches and so please don't dismiss them based on the preceding comment about susceptibility. The key here is to look at the relationship that the leaders have with God, is their evidence that they are submitting to God and committed to leading the Church for God's glory. Next look at the relationship of the leaders to the congregation are they shepherding and guiding the people or are they control freaks.

Finally, as hard is this may be, trust your own judgement, you have experience of what can be wrong so let that guide you to what is right. If, based on what you know, a Church feels like a cult then I think there's a good chance that it has some issues in that area, these may be minor and may never develop into much but I doubt that you would ever be happy in a Church that reminds you of your negative past.

Dr. Charles A. Wootten

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/204196#Comment_204196

Nicely said, Graham!

{charley}

Kaye Anderson

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/204207#Comment_204207

Thanks for everything, guys. I think I have a good starting point now. And I appreciate that this thread did not disintegrate into quarrel. I was half afraid it would, given the topic, but you all kept to the point and that is awesome!

Robert M. Warren

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/204240#Comment_204240

Kaye:

If I might add one more point: What was helpful to my wife and me when we were looking for a church was listening to the pastor's sermons (at least 3 or 4) if the church has a media section on their website. This, too, is just one more step, but I think you will learn a lot from it, and it can certainly shorten your list before you start visiting.

Kaye Anderson

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/204258#Comment_204258

Robert,

I was a member of a church once that used to give out cassettes of previous sermons (for a $1 contribution). I always loved listening to them in the car over the week. I have found two places, one less than three miles from home and another less than 20 minutes away. I will check out their websites this week to see if they supply any sermon media. I plan to attend a candlelight Christmas Eve sermon at the one close to home. It's probably hard to judge the feel of a church based on a Christmas gathering, when everyone is in a good mood, but it will give me some fellowship during such a blessed time and I am looking forward to it. :-)

Robert Pavich

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/204258#Comment_204258

What was helpful to my wife and me when we were looking for a church was listening to the pastor's sermons (at least 3 or 4) if the church has a media section on their website.

I heartily agree....and I'd also add...a phone call to the pastor is a good step also (in conjunction with the sermon review step..)

No pastor I've called has been anything less than gracious when I told them what I was doing.

Graham Owen

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/204292#Comment_204292

a phone call to the pastor is a good step also

This is a great point, a good pastor will often help you find a good Church even it it is no the one they pastor. Talking to visitors over the years we have been able to point them to good Churches that match what they are looking for.

Kaye Anderson

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/204353#Comment_204353

I have located the pastor's number so I can call him. Even if I don't reach him I'll be heading to the Christmas Eve service. He might be pretty busy right now. I'm sure a lot of families are in need at Christmas with the local economy as it is. I wouldn't want to take him away from that.

James Matichuk

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/204353#Comment_204353

This is a great point, a good pastor will often help you find a good Church even it it is no the one they pastor.

It's the bad pastors I'd worry about[;)]

Dan Sheppard

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/204539#Comment_204539

I heard one recently, about whether your music program sounds like "America's Got Talent."

MJ. Smith

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/204192#Comment_204192

If you are looking for a church that still uses the bible on a weekly basis in their services

Last survey I've seen gives the Lutherans credit for using the most Scripture in their services.

MJ. Smith

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/204184#Comment_204184

I'm not sure I'd use the word "hatred"

Then you haven't seen (or heard) some of the anti-Catholic stuff out there....

Robert, I have to agree with fgh here. and Catholics are not the only ones I've seen or heard targeted.

Robert Pavich

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/204618#Comment_204618

Robert, I have to agree with fgh here. and Catholics are not the only ones I've seen or heard targeted.

Well..yes..now that I think of it....I'd agree...(I'm thinking of that horrid cartoon/tract stuff by a person that shall remain nameless.) there is no call for that vile junk.

Jack Caviness

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/204642#Comment_204642

I'm thinking of that horrid cartoon/tract stuff by a person that shall remain nameless.

No one would ever guess who this could be! [8-|]

there is no call for that vile junk.

Amen [Y]

tom

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/204618#Comment_204618

and Catholics are not the only ones I've seen or heard targeted.

I agree

Not only have I been told that I am going to hell (I am not RC, and I was going to hell because the seminary that I decided to attend was "liberal" in the views of this person.), I was told, "I hope you go to hell!" because I would not tell someone else that he/she was going to go to hell because this person was a RC.

What really gets my goat is that these conversations fell under the title of "Christian Love."

Kaye Anderson

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/204688#Comment_204688

Tom,

I was told once by a coworker that he hoped I would die in a car crash on the way to the polls to vote. He was about as liberal as a person can get politically and I am Christian. He was sure my vote was going to inflict untold suffering on the masses and that my loss was better than causing that. There is always someone to hate us and I feel like I'm on the right track when the world does. :-)

Peace, respect and a very Merry Christmas as we all celebrate the birth of Christ for us.

Kaye

Robert Pavich

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/204688#Comment_204688

Not only have I been told that I am going to hell (I am not RC, and I was going to hell because the seminary that I decided to attend was "liberal" in the views of this person.),

Wow...I never heard that one! That's amazing.

tom

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/204767#Comment_204767

Wow...I never heard that one! That's amazing.

I was shocked when I heard the statement, and I was shocked by the person who said it.

I was told once by a coworker that he hoped I would die in a car crash on the way to the polls to vote. He was about as liberal as a person can get politically and I am Christian. He was sure my vote was going to inflict untold suffering on the masses and that my loss was better than causing that. There is always someone to hate us and I feel like I'm on the right track when the world does. :-)

There is enough hate on within all flavors of Christianity that it makes me wonder if they have read what Jesus said was the greatest commandment.

Then we wonder why people are leaving the Christian faith, that people are becoming "spiritual but not religious."

Robert M. Warren

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/204688#Comment_204688

Wow, it sounds like there's way too much anathema talk going on.

Blair Laird

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/204106#Comment_204106

Is Calvary Chapel considered a denomination? I really enjoy their style. Verse by verse, chapter by chapter, book by book expository preaching.

Isn't Greg Laurie from this church?

Calvary Chapel is a non denomination church. Most people would think because of the growth of C.C that it is now a denomination. I'm not to sure what the qualifications are to be considered a denomination, but according to the movement it is non denomination ( I believe this is to be more inclusive). C.C are not baptist, although when I started Bible College they required me to purchase Bible Knowledge Commentary. They are not pentecostal, although they do believe in the gifts of the Spirit, and pastor Chuck came from a 4square background.

Greg Laurie came from C.C but now he run's Harvest Christian Fellowship. This means he is affiliated with C.C but not a Calvary Chapel, at least that is my understanding. I believe the same is true for Jon Courson.

Todd Phillips

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/205075#Comment_205075

Calvary Chapel is a non denomination church. Most people would think because of the growth of C.C that it is now a denomination. I'm not to sure what the qualifications are to be considered a denomination, but according to the movement it is non denomination ( I believe this is to be more inclusive). C.C are not baptist, although when I started Bible College they required me to purchase Bible Knowledge Commentary. They are not pentecostal, although they do believe in the gifts of the Spirit, and pastor Chuck came from a 4square background.

A denomination is just a name for category of things (like a denomination of currency). Likewise, a religious denomination is just a name for a religious subgroup that operates under a common name, tradition, and identity. It doesn't imply that there is an overarching authority structure, although some people use the term that way. For example, Southern Baptists I know like to consider themselves to a part of an association rather than a denomination, because they want to emphasize the lack of a central authority and the independence of each church, thereby attaching a meaning to the word denomination that it doesn't always have. The Handbook of Denominations in the US is filled with non-denominational churches.

The fact that Calvary Chapel churches do self-identify as Calvary Chapel churches and have similar practices seems to me to be a denomination in the classic sense, but not in the authority sense.

Scott S

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/204616#Comment_204616

Last survey I've seen gives the Lutherans credit for using the most Scripture in their services.

Did the survey indicate which Lutheran Synod -- ELCA, LCMS, or WELS?

Thanks in advance.

Scott S

you can understand my care in choosing a good, Christian church to make friends and progress spiritually.

Kaye, a few questions I would recommend for prospective
churches:

. What does it
take to become a member and what is expected of members to remain in good
standing?

. What beliefs must a member subscribe to?

. Are there activities that you must either do or refrain
from?

. Are there activities within the church that are
reserved for members and visitors do not participate in?

Also, don't give too much weight in your evaluation to
the Christmas service. For many churches
that may not be a representative time, because the people you sit next to are more likely
to be the "I go to church once a year whether I need it or not" types, and the
service may have a different emphasis than the norm.

I enjoy visiting churches. It an adventure for me, and one
of the things I look forward to when travelling. I hope you enjoy it also.

James Matichuk

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/204657#Comment_204657

I'm thinking of that horrid cartoon/tract stuff by a person that shall remain nameless.

No one would ever guess who this could be!

there is no call for that vile junk.

Amen

And here I was going to suggest his work for Logos to publish [6]

tom

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/205095#Comment_205095

Did the survey indicate which Lutheran Synod -- ELCA, LCMS, or WELS

I do not know and have not heard of any study concerning this, but I (being a Lutheran) have stated that I would compare the amount of scripture in our worship service to any other service. You should always hear two lessons, a psalm, and a Gospel reading every Sunday (some exceptions due occur). On top of this, our liturgy comes straight from scripture.

I do not know the liturgy that the WELS uses, but I am going to take a SWAG and say that it is the same as ELCA and LCMS. The ELCA and LCMS basically have the same service (including the liturgy).

Jack Caviness

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/205111#Comment_205111

I'm thinking of that horrid cartoon/tract stuff by a person that shall remain nameless.

No one would ever guess who this could be!

there is no call for that vile junk.

Amen

And here I was going to suggest his work for Logos to publish

That would be fine as long as I do not have to own it. I hope Logos publishes a wide variety of religious literature, but there is already much that I have no interest in owning. Someone may want that particular material, and I would not deny them the privilege.

Dennis Miller

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/205075#Comment_205075

It's all semantics. If you have a bunch of people meeting at different locations all claiming to be affiliated with a particular group or fellowship doesn't that technically make you a denomination whether you consider it that or not.

Graham Owen

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/204618#Comment_204618

I'm not sure I'd use the word "hatred"

Then you haven't seen (or heard) some of the anti-Catholic stuff out there....

Robert, I have to agree with fgh here. and Catholics are not the only ones I've seen or heard targeted.

A key thing in amongst this is ignorance, I never ceased to be amazed at the number of people who perpetuate a false view of the Catholics and others based on third and fourth hand, unsubstantiated information. Personally I have no problem with others challenging my denominational beliefs but I do expect them to do this based on a knowledge of what we actually teach not on what someone else says we teach. I try and practice this as well by reading materials from other denominations to be clear on what they say. Another issue is basing our whole opinion of a denomination on an encounter with a single individual from that denomination. Given the breadth of Catholicism, Anglicanism and others this ia dangerous practice and causes unnecessary division.

I guess for all of us the spiritualisation of all of this relates to the concept of heresy:

heresy (ˈhɛrǝsɪ) n, pl -sies 1 a an opinion or doctrine contrary to the orthodox tenets of a religious body or church b the act of maintaining such an opinion or doctrine 2 any opinion or belief that is or is thought to be contrary to official or established theory 3 belief in or adherence to unorthodox opinion [c13: from Old French eresie, from Late Latin haeresis, from Latin: sect, from Greek hairesis a choosing, from hairein to choose]

Collins English dictionary. 2006 (8th ed., Complete & unabridged ed.). Glasgow: HarperCollins.

I guess everyone of us, no matter what denomination, would consider our theological position orthodox so by definition most other denominations are heretics! As a pentecostal I clearly disagree with a cessationists on the continuation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit but I would also disagree with other "pentecostals" if they question the deity of Christ. Personally I am more likely to consider the latter to be teaching heresy than the former probably because personally I can see why people have doubts about the continuation of gifts from a Biblical/historical perspective whereas I cannot see how anyone could read the Bible and deny that Jesus is God.

Based on this thread I think I may be about to take a fresh look at how heresy should be defined specifically from a Biblical perspective.

Jack Caviness

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/205171#Comment_205171

Many professing Christians seem to suffer from an Elijah Complex (I'm the only one you have left, Lord 1 Kings 19:10).

I guess everyone of us, no matter what denomination, would consider our theological position orthodox so by definition most other denominations are heretics! As a pentecostal I clearly disagree with a cessationists on the continuation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit but I would also disagree with other "pentecostals" if they question the deity of Christ. Personally I am more likely to consider the latter to be teaching heresy than the former probably because personally I can see why people have doubts about the continuation of gifts from a Biblical/historical perspective whereas I cannot see how anyone could read the Bible and deny that Jesus is God.

I would consider that to be a healthy perspective. I am a cessationist, and I agree with you here. I am reading The Foundation of Pentecostal Theology.

Based on this thread I think I may be about to take a fresh look at how heresy should be defined specifically from a Biblical perspective.

Sounds like a most interesting study. Unfortunately, sharing your conclusions would probably violate forum guidelines.

Graham Owen

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/205204#Comment_205204

Sounds like a most interesting study. Unfortunately, sharing your conclusions would probably violate forum guidelines.

Do you remember shared note files in Logos 3?

One thing that stands out for me when reading the Bible is that it does not so much tell us how to live as tell us how to live together. Whereas these days people are ready to start a new Church or form a new denomination it seems to me that the early Church worked hard to stay together. In many ways unity in the moderm Church is passive rather than active.

I am reading The Foundation of Pentecostal Theology.

I like this book it is a good "generic" pentecostal theology.